Steel plate clamp



1944- R. G. BOREE ET AL 2,341,421

STEEL PLATE CLAMP Filed Sept. 2, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l A Home) Feb. 8, 1944.

R. G. BOREE ET AL STEEL PLATE CLAMP I Filed'Sept. '2. 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor) .Jaimes A. Fwrasvna Patented Feb. 8, 1944 STEEL PLATE CLAMP Ray G. Home and James A. Townsend, Jacksonville, Fla.; said Townsend assignor to said Boree Application September 2, 1943, Serial No. 500,986

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in steel plate clamps for use particularly in shipyards, et cetera, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for firmly gripping the plates.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a clamp of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a steel plate clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal section through the forward portion of the device.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of the pivotally and slidably mounted jaw-actuating bar.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of the toothed stationary jaw and the supporting web therefor.

Figure 7 is a detail view in perspective of one of the links between the pivoted jaw and the bar shown in Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of spaced, opposed, duplicate, elongated plates I of suitable dimensions and metal. Rivets or the like 2, 3 and 4 secure the plates I together in spaced relation. It will be observed that the rivets 2 are mounted in one end portion of the plates I. Slots 5 extend longitudinally into the plates I from the other ends thereof.

Welded between the plates I adjacent one of the longitudinal walls of the slots 5 is a metallic web 6. Removably mounted on the web 6 for engagement with a plate in the slots 5 is a toothed stationary jaw l. A screw 8 secures the jaw I to the web 6. Welded on one end portion of the web 6 is a stop 9 for the jaw I.

Extending between the plates I adjacent the other longitudinal walls of the slots 5 is a removable pin I9. Journaled on the pin II] is a pivoted jaw II in the form of a toothed eccentric which is cooperable with the stationary jaw I for firmly gripping and retaining a steel plate in said slots 5. Spacers I2 are provided between the pivoted jaw II and the plates I, the pin III passing through said spacers.

Pivotally and slidably mounted on the pin 2 for operation between the plates I is a metallic bar I3. The bar I3 has formed therein, at an intermediate point, a longitudinal slot I4 which accommodates the pin 2. In its outer end portion, the bar I3 is further provided with a shackle opening I5. Links IE operatively connect the bar IE to the pivoted jaw II. A pin ll pivotally connects the links I6 at one end to the inner end portion of the bar I 3. The other end portions of the links I6 are pivotally connected by a pin I8 to the jaw II.

It is thought that the operation of the clamp will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the members I are engaged with the steel plate to be lifted or moved, the slots 5 receiving said steel plate. The pivoted jaw II readily swings to open position to facilitate engaging the clamp with the steel plate. When the bar I3 is pulled in a direction away from the plates I, the pivoted jaw II is swung toward closed position through the medium of the links I6. Thus, the steel plate is firmly gripped between the toothed jaws II and I. The greater the weight of the steel plate, the tighter will be the grip of the clamp thereon. It will be observed that the construction and arrangement is such that the operating means for the pivoted jaw II is protected between the plates I which thus constitute a housing for preventing these elements from striking or fouling objects with which the clamp may come in contact. The screw 8 permits the jaw to be readily removed for replacement. Also, the pivoted jaw II may be readily removed by removing the pins I0 and I8. Spacers I9 are provided between the bar I3 and the plates I, the rivet 2 passing through said spacers. Forwardly of the pin 4, a spacing web 20 extends between the plates I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a steel plate clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A clamp of the character described comprising a pair of spaced, opposed plates having slots extending thereinto from one edge thereof for the reception of an object to be moved, a stationary -jaw mounted between the plates, a pivoted jaw-mo'unted between the 'plates "and cooperable with the stationary jaw for gripping the object in the slots, a bar pivotally and slidably mounted between the plates, and links between the plates operatively connectingsaid bar to the pivoted jaw.

2. A clamp of the character described-comprising a pair of spaced, opposed metallic plates having slots extending thereinto from one end thereof for the reception of an'object to be moved, a web extending between the plates adjacent one side of the slots, a stationary jaw removably mounted on theweb, a pivoted jaw mounted for swinging movement between the plates i on' the mounted between the plates, and links connecting the pivoted jaw to said bar for actuation thereby.

3. A clamp of the character described comprising a pair of spaced, opposed, duplicate, elongated metallic plates having slots extending longitudinally thereinto from one end thereof for the reception of an object to be moved, rivets extending between the plates for securing said plates'togeth'er in spaced relation, a web extending between the plates adjacent one side of the slots, a toothed, stationary jaw mounted on said web, a screw threadedly mounted in the web and connected to the stationary jaw for removably securing said stationary jaw on the web, a stop 'forthe stationary jaw on the web, a removable pin extending between the plates adjacent the other sides of the slots, a toothed eccentric jaw pivotally mounted-on said pin and cooperable withthe stationary jaw for gripping an object in the slots, a bar pivotally and slidably mounted on one or the rivets and operable between the plates, and links'between the plates operatively 

